1980 United States gubernatorial elections

none January 2025 August 2023 1980 United States gubernatorial elections United States legislative No 1979 United States gubernatorial elections 1979 1981 United States gubernatorial elections 1981 15 governorships 13 states; 2 territories November 4, 1980 Seats up Seats won Democratic Party (United States) 31 27 4 10 6 Republican Party (United States) 19 23 4 3 7 324px #92C5DE Democratic hold #F48882 Republican hold #CA0120 Republican gain United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 4, 1980, in 13 states and two territories. The Republican party had a net gain of four seats in this election, coinciding with the Senate, House elections and presidential election. As of , this was the last election in which a Democrat won the gubernatorial election in Utah and also the last election in which a Republican won the gubernatorial race in the state of Washington. Election results State Incumbent Party Firstelected Result Candidates Arkansas Bill Clinton 1978http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=95 Bill Clinton (1946–) Encyclopedia of Arkansas September 15, 2018 Incumbent lost re-election. New governor elected. Republican gain. Frank D. White (Republican) 51.9% Bill Clinton (Democratic) 48.1% Delaware Pete du Pont 1976 Incumbent re-elected. Pete du Pont (Republican) 70.7% William J. Gordy (Democratic) 28.5% Lawrence Levy (Libertarian) 0.8% Indiana Otis Bowen 1972 Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Republican hold. Robert D. Orr (Republican) 57.7% John A. Hillenbrand II (Democratic) 41.9% Cletis Artist (American) 0.4% Missouri Joseph P. Teasdale 1976 Incumbent lost re-election. New governor elected. Republican gain. Kit Bond (Republican) 52.6% Joseph P. Teasdale (Democratic) 47.0% Helen Savio (Socialist Workers) 0.3% Montana Thomas Lee Judge 1972 Incumbent lost re-nomination. New governor elected. Democratic hold. Ted Schwinden (Democratic) 55.4% Jack Ramirez (Republican) 44.6% New Hampshire Hugh Gallen 1978 Incumbent re-elected. Hugh Gallen (Democratic) 59.0% Meldrim Thomson Jr. (Republican) 40.7% James Pinnaird (Libertarian) 0.3% North Carolina Jim Hunt 1976 Incumbent re-elected. Jim Hunt (Democratic) 61.9% I. Beverly Lake Jr. (Republican) 37.4% Robert Y. Emory (Libertarian) 0.5% Douglas A. Cooper (Socialist Workers) 0.2% North Dakota Arthur A. Link Democratic-NPL 1972 Incumbent lost re-election. New governor elected. Republican gain. Allen I. Olson (Republican) 53.6% Arthur A. Link (Democratic) 46.4% Rhode Island J. Joseph Garrahy 1976 Incumbent re-elected. J. Joseph Garrahy (Democratic) 73.7% Buddy Cianci (Republican) 26.3% Utah Scott M. Matheson 1976 Incumbent re-elected. Scott M. Matheson (Democratic) 55.2% Bob Wright (Republican) 44.4% Lawrence Rey Topham (American) 0.4% Vermont Richard A. Snelling 1976 Incumbent re-elected. Richard A. Snelling (Republican) 58.7% M. Jerome Diamond (Democratic) 36.6% Daniel E. Woodward (Independent) 2.5% Bruce Cullen (Independent) 1.1% John Potthast (Liberty Union) 0.9% Washington Dixy Lee Ray 1976 Incumbent lost re-nomination. New governor elected. Republican gain. John Spellman (Republican) 56.7% Jim McDermott (Democratic) 43.3% West Virginia Jay Rockefeller 1976 Incumbent re-elected. Jay Rockefeller (Democratic) 54.1% Arch A. Moore Jr. (Republican) 45.4% Jack Kelley (Libertarian) 0.4% Territories Territory Incumbent Party Firstelected Result Candidates Puerto Rico Carlos Romero Barceló New Progressive 1976 Incumbent re-elected. New Progressive Party (Puerto Rico) Carlos Romero Barceló (PNP) 47.22% Popular Democratic Party (Puerto Rico)Rafael Hernández Colón (PPD) 47.03% Puerto Rican Independence PartyRubén Berríos (PIP) 5.42% Close states States where the margin of victory was under 1%: Puerto Rico, 0.2% States where the margin of victory was under 5%: Arkansas, 3.8% States where the margin of victory was under 10%: Missouri, 5.6% North Dakota, 7.2% West Virginia, 8.7% Arkansas 1980 Arkansas gubernatorial election 1980 Arkansas gubernatorial election Arkansas 1924 presidential no 1978 Arkansas gubernatorial election 1978 1982 Arkansas gubernatorial election 1982 November 4, 1980 File:Frank D. White 1995 (3x4a).jpg 150x150px Frank D. White Republican Party (United States) 435,684 51.93% File:Bill Clinton (37899881792) (3x4a).jpg Bill Clinton Democratic Party (United States) 403,241 48.07% 1980 Arkansas gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 210px County results White: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80%Clinton: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% Governor Bill Clinton Democratic Party (United States) Frank D. White Republican Party (United States) The 1980 Arkansas gubernatorial election was a biennial election for the governorship of Arkansas. One-term Democratic governor and future president Bill Clinton was narrowly defeated by Republican Frank D. White. It was only the third time since Reconstruction that a Republican candidate had won the state's governorship. Clinton ran again two years later and regained the governorship, continuing to serve until he was elected to the presidency in 1992. Delaware 1980 Delaware gubernatorial election 1980 Delaware gubernatorial election Delaware presidential Yes 1976 Delaware gubernatorial election 1976 1984 Delaware gubernatorial election 1984 November 4, 1980 File:DupontPETE (cropped).jpg 150x150px Pete du Pont Republican Party (United States) 159,004 70.66% File:3x4.svg William J. Gordy Democratic Party (United States) 64,217 28.54% Governor 210px County results 210px House district results 1 du Pont: #E27F7F 50–60% #D75D5D 60–70% #D72F30 70–80% #C21B18 80–90%Gordy: #7996E2 50–60% #6674DE 60–70% Pete du Pont Republican Party (United States) Pete du Pont Republican Party (United States) The 1980 Delaware gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1980. Popular incumbent Republican governor Pierre S. "Pete" du Pont IV was re-elected to a second term in office, defeating Democrat William Gordy. In doing so, du Pont became the first governor since J. Caleb Boggs to succeed in winning re-election. Indiana 1980 Indiana gubernatorial election 1980 Indiana gubernatorial election Indiana presidential no 1976 Indiana gubernatorial election 1976 1984 Indiana gubernatorial election 1984 1980 11 4 File:Robert D. Orr 1976 (cropped).jpg x150px Robert D. Orr Republican Party (United States) 1,257,383 57.7% File:3x4.svg John A. Hillenbrand II Democratic Party (United States) 913,116 41.9% 1980 Indiana gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 250px County resultsOrr: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80% Hillenbrand: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% Governor Otis Bowen Republican Party (United States) Robert D. Orr Republican Party (United States) The 1980 Indiana gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1980 in all 92 counties in the state of Indiana. Otis Bowen, the state's incumbent governor was ineligible for a third consecutive term due to term limits set forth in the Indiana Constitution. Robert D. Orr, the state's incumbent Republican lieutenant governor, was elected to his first term, defeating John A. Hillenbrand II, and a minor party challenger. Missouri 1980 Missouri gubernatorial election 1980 Missouri gubernatorial election Missouri presidential no 1976 Missouri gubernatorial election 1976 1984 Missouri gubernatorial election 1984 November 4, 1980 File:Portrait of Christopher S Bond.jpg x150px Kit Bond Republican Party (United States) 1,098,950 52.6% File:Joseph P. Teasdale (cropped).jpg Joseph Teasdale Democratic Party (United States) 981,884 47.0% 1980 Missouri gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 275px County results Bond: #e27f7f 50-60% #d75d5d 60-70%Teasdale: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% Governor Joseph Teasdale Democratic Party (United States) Kit Bond Republican Party (United States) The 1980 Missouri gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1980 and resulted in a victory for the Republican nominee, former Governor Kit Bond, over the Democratic candidate, incumbent Governor Joseph P. Teasdale, and Socialist Workers candidate Helen Savio. Montana 1980 Montana gubernatorial election 1980 Montana gubernatorial election Montana 1905 presidential no 1976 Montana gubernatorial election 1976 1984 Montana gubernatorial election 1984 November 4, 1980 File:Ted-Schwinden-as-Governor.jpg Ted Schwinden Democratic Party (United States) George Turman 199,574 55.37% 3x4.svg Jack Ramirez Republican Party (United States) Walt Johnson 160,892 44.63% 1980 Montana gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 300px County resultsSchwinden: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% Ramirez: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% Governor Thomas Lee Judge Democratic Party (United States) Ted Schwinden Democratic Party (United States) 74.90%0.30https://sosmt.gov/elections/voter-turnout/ Montana Voter Turnout Montana Secretary of State 2022-05-26 The 1980 Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1980. Incumbent Governor of Montana Thomas Lee Judge, who was first elected in 1972 and was re-elected in 1976, ran for re-election. He faced a stiff challenge in the Democratic primary from his lieutenant governor, Ted Schwinden, and he ultimately lost renomination. Schwinden, advancing to the general election, faced Jack Ramirez, the Minority Leader of the Montana House of Representatives and the Republican nominee. Although Ronald Reagan, the Republican presidential nominee, won the state in a landslide that year, Schwinden comfortably defeated Ramirez to win his first of two terms as governor. New Hampshire 1980 New Hampshire gubernatorial election 1980 New Hampshire gubernatorial election New Hampshire presidential Yes 1978 New Hampshire gubernatorial election 1978 1982 New Hampshire gubernatorial election 1982 November 4, 1980 File:Gov Hugh Gallen (cropped).jpg 150x150px Hugh Gallen Democratic Party (United States) 226,436 58.96% File:Meldrim Thomson (cropped).jpg Meldrim Thomson Jr. Republican Party (US) 156,178 40.67% Governor x245px County results x245px Municipality results Gallen: #A5B0FF 40–50% #7996E2 50–60% #6674DE 60–70% #584CDE 70–80% #3933E5 80–90%Thomson: #FFB2B2 40–50% #E27F7F 50–60% #D75D5D 60–70% #D72F30 70–80% #c21b18 80–90% #A80000 >90%Tie: #AE8BB1 50% Hugh Gallen Democratic Party (United States) Hugh Gallen Democratic Party (United States) The 1980 New Hampshire gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1980. Incumbent Democratic governor Hugh Gallen was re-elected to a second term in office, in a landslide. once again defeating former governor Meldrim Thomson Jr., who defeated Lou D'Allesandro for the Republican nomination. North Carolina 1980 North Carolina gubernatorial election 1980 North Carolina gubernatorial election North Carolina presidential no 1976 North Carolina gubernatorial election 1976 1984 North Carolina gubernatorial election 1984 November 4, 1980 1885 File:Jim Hunt (NC 1).png 150x150px Jim Hunt Democratic Party (United States) 1,143,145 61.88% File:I. Beverly Lake Jr.jpg I. Beverly Lake Republican Party (United States) 691,449 37.43% 1980 North Carolina gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 325px County resultsHunt: #7996e2 50-60% #6674de 60-70% #584cde 70-80% #3933e5 80-90%Lake: #e27f7f 50-60% #d75d5d 60-70% Governor Jim Hunt Democratic Party (United States) Jim Hunt Democratic Party (United States) The 1980 North Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1980. Despite North Carolina going to Ronald Reagan in the presidential race and the U.S. Senate race being won by a Republican (John P. East), popular Democratic Governor Jim Hunt won a second term in office in a landslide over Republican I. Beverly Lake. Hunt thus became the first governor of the state elected to a consecutive four-year term, following an amendment to the Constitution of North Carolina allowing such a run.NCpedia North Dakota 1980 North Dakota gubernatorial election 1980 North Dakota gubernatorial election North Dakota Presidential no 1976 North Dakota gubernatorial election 1976 1984 North Dakota gubernatorial election 1984 November 4, 1980 File:Allen Olson.jpg 150x150px Allen I. Olson Republican Party (United States) Ernest Sands 162,230 53.6% File:Arthur A. Link.jpg Arthur A. Link North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party Wayne Sanstead 140,391 46.4% 1980 North Dakota gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 250px County results Olson: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% Link: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% Governor Arthur A. Link North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party Allen I. Olson Republican Party (United States) The 1980 North Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1980. The election pitted Republican State Attorney General Allen I. Olson against incumbent Democratic-NPL governor Arthur A. Link. Olson Defeated Link 54% to 46%. Rhode Island 1980 Rhode Island gubernatorial election 1980 Rhode Island gubernatorial election Rhode Island Presidential no 1978 Rhode Island gubernatorial election 1978 1982 Rhode Island gubernatorial election 1982 November 4, 1980 File:J. Joseph Garrahy, Rhode Island Governor (cropped).jpg 150x150px J. Joseph Garrahy Democratic Party (United States) 299,174 73.71% Buddy Cianci Republican Party (United States) 106,729 26.29% 250px County results 250px Municipality results Garrahy: #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% #3933e5 80–90% Governor J. Joseph Garrahy Democratic Party (United States) J. Joseph Garrahy Democratic Party (United States) The 1980 Rhode Island gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1980. Incumbent Democrat J. Joseph Garrahy defeated Republican nominee Buddy Cianci with 73.71% of the vote. Utah 1980 Utah gubernatorial election 1980 Utah gubernatorial election Utah 1922 Presidential no 1976 Utah gubernatorial election 1976 1984 Utah gubernatorial election 1984 November 4, 1980 File:Scott Matheson speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the USS Salt Lake City, May 12, 1984 (cropped).JPEG 150x150px Scott M. Matheson Democratic Party (United States) 330,974 55.16% 3x4.svg Bob Wright Republican Party (United States) 266,578 44.43% 1980 Utah gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 230px County resultsMatheson: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% Wright: #e27f7f 50–60% Governor Scott M. Matheson Democratic Party (United States) Scott M. Matheson Democratic Party (United States) The 1980 Utah gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1980. Democratic incumbent Scott M. Matheson defeated Republican nominee Bob Wright with 55.16% of the vote. 2025, this is the last time a Democrat was elected Governor of Utah; since Matheson left office in 1985, all of Utah's governors have been Republican.Benjamin Wood Zachary Moses, a Democratic candidate for governor, wants to break up Republican control of Utah and build a space port https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2019/07/19/zachary-moses-democratic/ Salt Lake Tribune 19 September 2023 19 July 2019 Matheson's victory was despite Republican presidential candidate Ronald Reagan and incumbent Republican Senator Jake Garn both winning over 70% of the vote in their respective races on the same ballot.1980 Presidential Election Statistics https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/stats.php?year=1980&f=0&off=0&elect=0 US Election Atlas 19 September 20231980 General Election Abstract https://vote.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/42/2023/09/1980Gen.pdf Utah Secretary of State 19 September 2023 Vermont 1980 Vermont gubernatorial election 1980 Vermont gubernatorial election Vermont presidential 1980 11 4 no 1978 Vermont gubernatorial election 1978 1982 Vermont gubernatorial election 1982 File:Richard A Snelling (cropped).jpg x150px Richard Snelling Republican Party (United States) 123,229 58.7% File:DiamondJ (cropped).png Democratic Party (United States) M. Jerome Diamond 76,826 36.6% x220px County results x220px Municipality results Snelling: #FFB2B2 40-50% #E27F7F 50-60% #D75D5D 60-70% #D72F30 70-80% #C21B18 80-90% #A80000 >90%Diamond: #A5B0FF 40-50% #7996E2 50-60% #6674de 60-70%Woodward: #BDBDBD 50-60% Governor Richard Snelling Republican Party (United States) Richard Snelling Republican Party (United States) The 1980 Vermont gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1980. Incumbent Republican Richard A. Snelling ran successfully for a third term as Governor of Vermont, defeating Democratic candidate M. Jerome Diamond. Washington 1980 Washington gubernatorial election 1980 Washington gubernatorial election Washington presidential no 1976 Washington gubernatorial election 1976 1984 Washington gubernatorial election 1984 November 4, 1980 File:JohnDSpellman.jpg 150x150px John Spellman Republican Party (United States) 981,083 56.68% File:Jim McDermott 1980.jpg Jim McDermott Democratic Party (United States) 749,813 43.32% Governor 1980 Washington gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 275px County resultsSpellman: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% McDermott: #7996e2 50–60% Dixy Lee Ray Democratic Party (United States) John Spellman Republican Party (United States) The 1980 Washington gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1980. Incumbent Democratic governor Dixy Lee Ray ran for a second term, but lost in the primary to State Representative Jim McDermott. McDermott was defeated in the general election by Republican candidate John Spellman, the King County Executive. West Virginia 1980 West Virginia gubernatorial election 1980 West Virginia gubernatorial election presidential West Virginia 1976 West Virginia gubernatorial election 1976 1984 West Virginia gubernatorial election 1984 no November 4, 1980 File:Jay Rockefeller 1983 crop.jpg 150x150px Jay Rockefeller Democratic Party (United States) 401,863 54.15% File:Arch Moore 1976.jpg Arch A. Moore Jr. Republican Party (United States) 337,240 45.44% 1980 West Virginia gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 250px County resultsRockefeller: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80%Moore: #e27f7f 50-60% #d75d5d 60-70% #d72f30 70-80% Governor Jay Rockefeller Democratic Party (United States) Jay Rockefeller Democratic Party (United States) The 1980 West Virginia gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1980, to elect the governor of West Virginia. Incumbent Governor Jay Rockefeller defeated former Governor Arch Moore in a rematch of the 1972 contest. This election was the first time ever that a Democrat was re-elected Governor of West Virginia. See also 1980 United States elections 1980 United States presidential election 1980 United States Senate elections 1980 United States House of Representatives elections References Category:November 1980 in the United States